A recent “On the Spot” column detailed a father’s request for a waiver of airline change fees because he did not want to take his family to a place that was then experiencing an outbreak of chikungunya. That illness is usually not fatal, but it is painful.

He tried reasoning with the airline. It said no. Twice.

Even if you have insurance, you may not be able to cancel and get money back.

Your reason for canceling, that story said, must be a “covered reason,” according to Megan Moncrief of Squaremouth, a travel insurance comparison site.

The column went on to quote Moncrief: “Not wanting to go is never going to be a covered reason. Make sure that concern is listed.”